New health insurance rates will be higher for school district employees in 2013-14, but not nearly as high as teachers feared last month when they asked for pay raises to absorb most of the shock.

Instead of a 30 percent or higher premium hike, which was the dreaded projection in a rumor that had spread like wildfire throughout the district, rates for a dual-option package would rise from 1.49 percent for a Health Savings Account plan to 11.5 percent for traditional medical coverage.

The rates were part of the district’s new health insurance deal offered by United Healthcare and approved by the school board on the evening of June 17. The new insurance coverage, which includes life insurance and vision care plans, will be effective October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014.

Afterward, Superintendent Sherrie Raulerson said she hopes the district never again has to go through the emotional roller-coaster ride that the annual insurance negotiations seem to create.

Shirley Norman McKinney, 75, of Macclenny died on June 17, 2013 at Acosta-Rua Center for Caring with family by her side. She was born in Sanderson on September 30, 1937 to the late Thomas Samuel Norman and Edna Bell Prevatt Norman.

Shirley was a lifelong resident of Baker County and a longtime member of Raiford Road Church. She enjoyed her career as a supervisor for Independent Life Insurance Company, but most of all she enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her children. She loved singing Gospel music, playing the piano, sewing and teaching her home Bible study. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 39 years, Jack G. McKinney; and brother David Lee Norman.